New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-06


LAND-A PANIC-srRICKEN AUDIENcE-MANY
PEOPLE INJURED WHILE JUMPING
FROM THE BURNING BUILDING.
LeNpoN, Sept. ga theatre at Exeter took fire
this evening during performance of "Romany
Rye.s The occupants of the pit after an awful
struggle, escaped, but many of them were greatly
injured There was Ouy one exit from the gallery,
and the rush was terrific. Scores were trodden under
foot and suffocated A fire escape was brought TO
window and many inside were rescued Inc
injured survivors sent to hospital.
The structure burned was the Theatre Royal. 1t
was bnilt after the latest designs and was elab-
erately fitted being considered one of the prettest
in the Kingdom. There was u full house tonight
and everything was ali right until the end OF the
third act, at half past ten, when dIop scene
fell and in moment the whole stage was mass of
fire. A wild panic ensued. The occupants OF
the stalls, pit aud dress circle escaped
after dreadful crushing. many being badly
bruised The actors and actresses were in their
dressing rOnms when the fire began and all escaped.
The FIRE originated in the flies and spread rapidly,
filing the theatre with deuse smoke. The occu-
pants of the upper circle and gallery rushed to the
windows screaming frantically. Many jumped
from the windows and were injured. Others were
rescued with the aid of ladders from the verandas.
The fire blazed fercely, lighting up the whole
CITY. People were soon uOckluR W eho oSoh0 III
thousands inqu1ring for friends.
The scene inside the theatre when the hre
broke out was an awful one. Some men
implored the audience to be COOL but
it was impossible to check the frantic
rush. The theatre hose was brought into use
in few minutes, but the water
had little effect on the flames. The actors
aud actresses taken from the windows with 'he
aid of ladders They lost everything except
what they wore at the time. Up to the present
time 100 bodies have been recovered.
They are almost unrecognizable. Thirty
injured persons have been taken 10
hospitals. The fire burned throughout the
night. The search for bodies proceeds
slowy. In many cases every shred OF
clothing ia burned of and the bodies
look black and raw. There are various reports as
to the origin of the fire. 1t is only certain that
the flames broke out in the scene-shfters depart
ment. Those who escaped say that the special
exit was promptly opened.
The fire brigade arrived five minutes after the
breaking out of the flames, but the efforts OF the
firemen were without effect There were several
fhrliling rescues The majority OF the Victims
were men and boys. About thirty women were
burned
When the fire started the drop scene
WAS lowered to prevent draught. Some
of the actors opened door to
escape, causing the fire to burst through the drop
scene and to ignite the gallery. The flames over
took the people who were wedged in an immovabe
mass and roasted them 10 death. MANY who were
rescued alive died after being brought out OF
the burning building. The occupants OF the dress
circle escaped without serious harm.
telegram from Exeter at O'Clock this morning
saws that the fire IS under control Only the walls
of the structure are standing People distracted
with anxiety are wandering about the streets In
the neighborhood of the theatre IN search OF
friends who attended last nights performance.
The hospitals are besieged by anxious inquiiers
for friends Twenty badly burned persons who
were admitted to hospitals died few moments
after they were received